Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 1:09 pm  

Smith is a good team player, his persona suggests he is a good influence on younger players and he is a likeable bloke.

On the pitch he is limited, I was expecting an improvement from him once SOL, Williams and Tomkins returned but that has not happened. He seems to play better in poor weather when going back to basics is the best tactic (CC final v Hull for example). Whether his confidence is shot or whether is is lack of ability (bit of both IMO) he's not producing on the pitch and hasn't for some time.

He could turn out to be a good signing for St Helens, local lad goes home, I'd be willing to put a few quid on him getting MOM in the first Derby after his return. I don't see him as too much more than a steady player who lacks guile and creativity.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 3:04 pm  

Trainman wrote:

Smith is a good team player, his persona suggests he is a good influence on younger players and he is a likeable bloke.

On the pitch he is limited, I was expecting an improvement from him once SOL, Williams and Tomkins returned but that has not happened. He seems to play better in poor weather when going back to basics is the best tactic (CC final v Hull for example). Whether his confidence is shot or whether is is lack of ability (bit of both IMO) he's not producing on the pitch and hasn't for some time.

He could turn out to be a good signing for St Helens, local lad goes home, I'd be willing to put a few quid on him getting MOM in the first Derby after his return. I don't see him as too much more than a steady player who lacks guile and creativity.

The thing that annoys me the most, and this isn't all his fault btw, is that he only performs to the required level when it's wet. His best games have all centred around taking the right options that in turn build pressure which the team capitalise on. Why then when it isn't wet can't he execute this simple gamw plan I.e pick off the 40/20s, kicks in goal and giving the simple option pass?

If he played that tactical role (which he can easily do) it would make us a hell of a lot stronger as a side. It's almost the role Deacon filled under Madge to great success.

Imo his fault is that he doesn't take charge enough or boss the play. He should be deciding when to kick or when to feed the attack, but he seems to be dictated to by others or the overall game plan.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 4:34 pm  

I'm told it's not a done deal as we are after another halfback as our main target.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:00 pm  

Haven't double checked, but I seem to recall he got the most 40/20s in SL a year or two ago. They've certainly dried up, though.

I agree that if it goes through, the deal will be good for both club and player.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:11 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

He kicks pretty well from distance IMO when given the opportunity to do so. By that I mean that the forwards make decent ground from our line and he's not being forced to kick from his own 30 metres.

The England pack gave him that in that game whereas out forwards generally haven't a lot of the time. That part of his game aside though, he is generally very average and in some areas he's poor.

One of my main gripes is the kicks from half way to restart the game. He is so structured that each and every kick is aimed at same two opposition players located just in front of the posts, who then in turn pass to the same forward who makes a run towards our defenders.

Very rarely (if at all) does he have the "catch this you f***er" attitude and put up a spiral ball to various players making at least a little bit difficult for them to catch. It doesnt even need to be near the touchline....just get it hoofed up!

The bonus is a scrum under their posts.

The lad has little guile.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:18 pm  

I have a certain amount of sympathy for Smith as I believe Waney brought him from Salford to add the structure to our game and he certainly did that. Unfortunately he isn't a "flair" player and he doesn't take the line on enough and as an half back you need to do this. I always say that if a player gives his best , then you cannot call him, and Smithy has always given his best. If he isn't good enough then it is not his fault. It is the fault of the people who select the team.
Having said all of that I do hope that his replacement ( whoever it is) can read the game like Smithy did and can produce the drop goal that is needed to win games. Good luck to the lad if he moves to Saints but I hope he never wins another game in his career. Ha!ha !

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Thu Aug 11, 2016 10:25 pm  

Important to remember Smith won the Lance Todd Trophy in 2013.

Time for him to go but he has had his moments.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:33 pm  

62' GREAT KICK! Matty Smith with a 40:20 and Wigan have great field position here.

CT 26
WW 12

*just saying.....*

Paved paradise.... Don't know what you had til it's gone......

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Fri Aug 12, 2016 9:08 pm  

amp wrote:

62' GREAT KICK! Matty Smith with a 40:20 and Wigan have great field position here.

CT 26
WW 12

*just saying.....*

Paved paradise.... Don't know what you had til it's gone......

Listening on the radio it sounds like he had a shocker with the boot when we were in promising positions. Probably deserves all the stick he gets tonight.

Re: Rumours and signings v9 : Sat Aug 13, 2016 9:40 am  

When we played Cas at the DW Gale had a bit of a stinker, but I said then that even so, he still looked more of a threat than Smith.

Last night, Gale had a better game...